A free house check
Know your house
before you paint it.
Most of Fife was built long before modern paint. Answer six questions and get a report on what to watch for, what to use and what never to do.
Lead, distemper and plastic paint on stone walls are behind most of the failed paintwork we strip off older houses in the East Neuk.
Older houses
Questions
we get asked.
- How do I know if I have lead paint?
- You cannot tell by looking. If the house was built before the 1970s, assume the oldest layers on woodwork contain lead. A test kit from a builders merchant will tell you in a few minutes.
- Can I paint over Artex?
- Yes, if it is intact. Painting over it is safe. The risk comes from sanding, scraping or drilling into textured coatings made before 2000, which can contain asbestos. Get a sample tested before you disturb it.
- What paint should I use on a stone cottage?
- A breathable one. Mineral silicate or limewash outside, and claypaint or a breathable emulsion inside on lime plaster. Plastic masonry paints trap moisture in solid walls.
Want a proper look
We will check it
in person.
On a survey we test for lead, check what is on the walls and tell you exactly which system will last on your house.
Practical notes on looking after an older house.